Nicosia region

Centrally located on the island, Nicosia serves as the administrative, political, financial and cultural capital of Cyprus. Nicosia may not have sandy beaches to offer, but its visitors are more than compensated by a wealth of cultural attractions that combine authentic Cypriot culture with modern European amenities. Nicosia is an attractive, enticing city; ideal for experiencing what modern Cyprus is all about. There are great restaurants here, from traditional taverns with bouzouki players and generous portions of meze, to ultramodern, fashionable joints, where young Cypriots dance the night away. As the Cypriot capital, Nicosia is home to some of the island's most significant museums. The Cyprus Archaeological Museum, the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation - Cultural Centre, the Ethnographic Museum, the National Struggle Museum, Leventio Museum, the Ethnological Museum and the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios that has received the Europe Nostra award in 1988. In the Old City surrounded by the Venetian Walls, one may discover the city’s historic past unfold into a magical labyrinth of museums, old churches and medieval buildings. Do not forget to take a walk through Laiki Geitonia, where you have the opportunity to see some remarkable examples of traditional urban architecture as well as other small art workshops.The New City outside the walls is in a constant state of development, with modern buildings and structures that add a distinctive European character and culture. The regional countryside of Nicosia is full of diverse attractions from all periods of Cyprus’ ancient, medieval and recent history. Once you have walked around the city of Nicosia, do not hesitate to escape to its surrounding areas. From Machairas Forest and its historic monastery to the tip of the Troodos Mountains, there is much to discover.Although it was abandoned during the 19th century Phikardou Village has been declared an important historical landmark and is a testament to traditional architecture and woodworks from the 18th century. The village is also home to the Agricultural Museum. Two of the best walking routes in the area are Madari Circular Walk (13 km long) and the logistically more difficult route connecting the Unesco World Heritage churches of Stavros tou Agiasmati and Panagia tou Araka (a 7.5 km long linear route). The walks can be combined with stops at beautiful churches, picturesque villages and possibly watermills and/or medieval bridges.

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This is a world apart from the tourist hotspots. Here, timeless villages, tiny remote painted churches, stunning scenery, orested mountain trails and a way of life that has hardly changed over the past centuries, are just waiting to be discovered.